Lipid nanoparticle-assisted mRNA therapy for cancer treatment

Abstract

mRNA technology and the lipid nanoparticle (LNP) platform have gained significant research attention for other therapeutic applications, particularly cancer treatment, after the success of COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. The flexibility, scalability, and safety of mRNA render it suitable for pharmaceutical applications, and recent advances in mRNA engineering have further improved both its stability and translational durability. The LNP platform has been instrumental in the clinical translation of mRNA therapy by enabling intracellular delivery and supporting access to both hepatic and extrahepatic organs. However, the lack of tumor-specific LNPs hinders the successful development of mRNA-based cancer therapy. In this review, we discussed the basic biology of mRNA and the benefits of mRNA therapy for cancer treatment. We highlighted how the LNP platform works and its important role in mRNA-based cancer therapy. We also looked into ways to improve the physicochemical properties of LNPs for cancer treatment. Clinical trials are reviewed to provide the current status of mRNA-LNP technology in cancer therapy. We conclude with a discussion of the challenges and future prospects for developing LNPs capable of mRNA delivery effectively for cancer treatment.